The case of the missing art

Raise your hand if you're a fan of Netflix. (I imagine many of you actually sitting your cubicle with your hands raised right now, which makes me chuckle.)

Local video stores in Southeast Texas do what they can to stock the independent films and documentaries that don't come to all two of our movie theaters, but many titles fall through the cracks.

One of those titles is the fascinating documentary called The Rape of Europa.

The title figuratively refers to the Nazi plundering of priceless works of art throughout Europe during World War II, and since a number of famous artists have come from this area, it's the kind of subject a well-rounded Southeast Texan would eat up.

Plus, it's also very well done. Personal stories of family treasures both lost and found are told alongside big-picture history. It's impossible to watch this film without thinking that any of the cinematic tales could stand alone as their own compelling movies.

Some may think that people in this part of Texas don't care about culture, and that's one of the worst misconceptions I've ever heard because, for a small city, Beaumont patronizes the arts in an ambitious way. I mean, we're never going to have New York's MoMa, or even Houston's MFA, but what we do have is a group of locals dedicated to both the artistic and cultural literacy of this community - our community.

So, I think you should all rent this documentary. Besides, it's like watching a real life treasure hunt unfold, and who doesn't love a good treasure hunt, right?